Bomb Threat Bandit Wanted For Bank Robberies In West Covina And West Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The hunt is on for a bank robber believed to be responsible for recent Bank of America holdups in the cities of West Covina and West Hollywood. In both instances, a device resembling a homemade bomb was left behind.

The robberies took place on Nov. 15 at a B of A on Eastland Center Drive, and Nov. 28 at a B of A on Beverly Boulevard.

In each robbery, the suspect made a verbal command, and also handed a written note to the teller. The suspect demanded as much as $20,000 in cash.

The notes indicated the man had a companion outside the bank listening to a police scanner, and that the suspect could make a call to advise the friend to “press a button.” One note indicated that once the friend was contacted, the “establishment will not exist.”

The FBI says during the West Covina robbery, the suspect stated, “I have a bomb.”

In both cases, the man left behind a device made up of electronic components and various wiring. After each robbery, a bomb squad from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the bank to render the device safe.

The suspect is described as a white male, between 35 to 45 years of age; between 5’10” and 6” in height; and between 175 to 190 lbs.

The FBI has dubbed the man “The Explosvies Threat Bandit.”

Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact the FBI at (888) 226-8443, or dial 911.